Foot Drop Following a Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block with Ropivacaine, A Case Report and Literature Review

• Published in: Local and Regional Anesthesia
• Main Authors: Clipet-Jensen A, Fjeldsøe-Nielsen H, Roy Kirkegaard P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2024-07-01
• Subjects: vasoconstriction; peripheral neuropathy; peripheral nerve block; local anesthetics.
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/foot-drop-following-a-popliteal-sciatic-nerve-block-with-ropivacaine-a-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-LRA
• ISSN: 1178-7112

Andreas Clipet-Jensen, Hans Fjeldsøe-Nielsen, Peter Roy Kirkegaard Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Nykøbing, DenmarkCorrespondence: Andreas Clipet-Jensen, Email [e-mail]; [e-mail]: Although peripheral nerve blocks are deemed very safe, a significant number of patients for whom this anesthetic technique may be particularly appealing to apply may present with preexisting peripheral neuropathies, putting them at risk for further nerve damage. We present a case with a 74-year-old male with several risk factors for peripheral neuropathy who developed a foot drop following a popliteal sciatic nerve block with ropivacaine. We suggest that the vasoconstrictive properties of ropivacaine may have contributed to a preexisting neuronal ischemia, thus further damaging an already compromised nerve.Keywords: peripheral nerve block, peripheral neuropathy, vasoconstriction, local anesthetics